Yesterday’s suicidal jump from the Graff Bridge has once again opened up discussion of PennDOT creating side panels to prevent such occurrences.

An Allegheny County man took his own life after jumping off a local bridge yesterday.

Robert A. McQuaid, 54 of Aspinwall, Pa (part of the Pittsburgh metropolitan area) died at approximately 11AM when he jumped off the Judge Graff Bridge in Ford City Borough.

McQuaid pulled his vehicle over on the westbound side of the Graff Bridge earlier that morning. He landed on the boat launch underneath the bridge on the Applewold-side of the Allegheny River, next to Asbury Graphite.

He was pronounced dead on scene by Armstrong County Deputy Coroner Robert Bellas due to blunt force trauma to the head and abdomen.

West Kittanning firefighters, Kittanning #6 emergency responders, North Buffalo police and state police troopers out of the East Franklin Township barracks assisted with the investigation.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Ajax Funeral Home in Aspinwall. An obituary notice is pending.

Online condolences can be made via the funeral home website, www.weddellajak.com